for an interesting volume; but there are very many from whose history lessons of wisdom and virtue may be learned, and which a work of this nature is calculated to rescue from oblivion. There is no kind of history perused with more lively interest than that which is properly termed Biographical; for, in the memoirs of eminently pious persons, we behold Christianity embodied and animated, while at the same time, the most painful emotions are excited by the loss of so many valuable servants of the Lord. "The great ends of Christian Biography," says Mr. Fuller, "are instruction and example. By faithfully describing the lives of men eminent for godliness, we not only embalm their memory, but furnish ourselves with fresh materials and motives for a holy life." Indeed there is a kind of natural curiosity in the human mind, which prompts every person to covet an intimate acquaintance with the character and habits of our fellow-men; but more especially of those who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation. By reason of the gene-ral prevalence of this principle, Biography is a species of composition which cannot fail to be popular; and when the subject is wisely selected and properly exhibited, it is likely to be useful in a very extraordinary degree. Many thousands, we doubt not, have been greatly edified by reading the sketches of the lives of pious persons which have been given in various publications; and we are fully persuaded that the Biographical accounts which are displayed in the following work, will prove highly acceptable to the religious world. In short, few things tend more to strengthen and confirm the faith and patience of God's dear people than a relation of the experience and joyful death of his saints. It has obtained in the world, from the earliest ages of civilized society, and in all parts of the habitable globe, to transmit to posterity the actions and virtues of such characters as have distinguished themselves among their fellow citizen citizens. Nor has any class of men been excluded from this testimony of respect to their memory. Statesmen and warriors, physicians and divines, as well as those who have figured on the Exchange, have ornamented the instructive page of history, and been held up to succeeding generations as examples for their imitation. This idea is corroborated by all authentic annals which have been handed down to us from time immemorial, and divine revelation itself furnishes us with innumerable instances of the same sort. It must be allowed therefore, that this kind of incitement to actions worthy of notice, and virtues which are the glory of man, exhibited by persons of like passions with ourselves, and surrounded with all the infirmities incident to human nature, is a sentiment founded in the nature and fitness of things; and also that it is species of writing eminently calculated to do much good. Nor can it be accounted for upon any other principle, that Biography has obtained so much in modern times, and that it continues even to this day, to be the most pleasing and instructive mode of enlightening the understanding and warming the heart. In the prosecution of this work, we have chosen the alphabetical form, because the lives of persons are more readily found by this than by any other method. We have been careful to omit no material circumstance that has come to our knowledge. The Anecdotes which we have interwoven are such as are well authenticated; and the accounts of their Christian Experiences and Happy Deaths, are selected from the most unquestionable authorities. We have only to assure the Reader, that no bigoted partiality to Sects or Denominations, whether Established or Tolerated, will be found in the following sheets; but our whole attention has been paid to truly great and gracious Characters, of those Persuasions which hold the distinguishing Principles of the Gospel. |